ALMOST AT PEAK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 272, 16 November 1943, Page 2

ALMOST AT PEAK

POPULATION OF N.Z.

MAY REACH TWO MILLION

The belief that New Zealand had almost reached the peak of its population and was unlikely to attain a population of 2,00,000 within the next 50 years was expressed by .Mr. Stewart Morrison, Victoria University College lecturer in adult education, addressing the Hawera Chamber of Commerce.

"Much poppycock has been talked about population increases in NewZealand," said Mr. Morrison,"but I do not believe that in the next 50 years we will get 500,000 migrants in New Zealand. I believe that if we attain a population, of 2,000,000 we will achieve it only with great difficulty. The natural reproduction rate of New Zealand's population has almost reached its peak and is about to decline. "The world supply of migrant labour will be closed for the next 100 years." In fact, he believed, that in the future Europe would be open to receive migrants. In spite of the efforts made by Japan to increase her birthrate, it was estimated that within 15 years she would reach a peak population of between 84,000,000 and 85,000,000. A decline would then begin. India and Java, on the other hand, had increasing tendencies without any sign of reaching a peak. "I have no doubt that after the war there will be many people who will want to come to New Zealand from Britain,'.' he added ''but if they are-permitted to come, England will only hasten' the process of becoming a fifth-rate Power in three generations." „ , Conferences Planned Plans are being made for the calling of representative conferences in various parts of the North Island in the near future to discuss the population problem. - Prominent-Wellington members of the- Dominion Settlement Associatiipn have recently given addresses in various parts of New Zealand on the theme of "populate or perish. Many practical offers of assistance have come to the association as a result of the addresses, it is reported. . _ . , The chairman, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, last week addressed meetings at Dunedin and Invercargill, the Mayor of each city presiding. At Dunedin, where Captain S. Holm also spoke, a small sub-committee was formed to arrange a cpmmittee representative of the citizens of Dunedin for the purpose of awakening the public to the position facing the country. Mr. J. Abel, chairman of the organisation section of the association, .addressed the Christchurch Business Men's Club and the Christchurch Rotary Club on the need for more population.